What is a Radiologic Technologist?

Because they can aid in the early detection and diagnosis of breast diseases, mammograms are an important part of medical care. In fact, since 1990, mammography has helped reduce the number of breast-cancer deaths by almost one-third.

Many mammography patients come in for routine screenings; others might have lumps or other signs of breast cancer. As a mammographer, you’ll operate specialized equipment, obtaining images that help physicians detect breast cancer and other breast diseases in their earliest stages.

Mammograms are personal—and sometimes frightening—procedures for patients. You can be a comforting presence as people undergo screenings and exams. By obtaining ARRT certification and registration in Mammography, you’ll also have the knowledge and skills to provide the highest level of patient care.

MRI procedures play an important role in diagnosing diseases and injuries. During an MRI, the resonant frequency properties of atoms are used within a magnetic field to image anatomic and/or physiologic conditions of the body.

Although a radiologist reviews MRI results, as a technologist you’re responsible for obtaining the best images possible. Your patients might be in pain or distress, or they might feel claustrophobic. You’ll provide support while talking patients through the procedure and letting them know what to expect.

As an MRI technologist, you’ll work with radiologists to play an important role on the patient’s medical team. MRI is a rewarding field, and you’ll learn and grow as technology advances.

As a vascular interventional radiographer, you’ll assist physicians with minimally invasive, image-guided vascular procedures, including angioplasty, stenting, thrombolysis, and more. Using sophisticated fluoroscopic equipment, you’ll be responsible for capturing images of the blood vessels.

Working in a hospital, clinic, lab, or outpatient center, you’ll have a rewarding job and be an important part of a medical team caring for patients.

CT can be an exciting and fulfilling career. As a CT technologist, you’ll likely work in a hospital or an imaging center. You’ll perform scans on all parts of the body for a variety of reasons. Some patients need imaging to diagnose a disease or an acute condition. Others need CT scans in emergencies, so physicians can understand the extent of injuries. While you perform the procedures, your skills and confidence will be critical as you balance image quality with radiation dose. You’ll also help inform and calm nervous patients.

Sonography is a rewarding career path with a range of areas in which to specialize. Sonographers (also known as ultrasound technologists) work in hospitals, doctors’ offices, and diagnostic clinics.

As a sonographer, you’ll operate specialized equipment, using nonionizing, high-frequency sound waves to create images of a patient’s internal organs and tissues. You’ll perform the procedures for a variety of purposes-including creating images of an unborn child.

Radiologists and radiation oncologists often prescribe radiation therapy for patients who have cancer or other serious diseases. As a radiation therapist, you'll be part of the team that helps plans and administers these treatments, and monitors patients' conditions. You'll use special equipment that produces ionizing radiation to administer therapeutic doses of radiation.

Part of your job may also be to provide support to nervous patients. Dealing with a serious disease is usually a challenging and frightening experience. Having a skilled and caring radiation therapist can often make a great deal of difference.